PORT EYNON COMMUNITY COUNCIL
CONFIRMED
Minutes of Monthly Council Meeting held on
Monday 16th May 2016 at Port Eynon Village Hall.
The meeting commenced at 7:30 pm.
Present: Cllr. G.Evans, Cllr. R. Fisher, Cllr. Mrs. S. Fisher, Cllr. G. Jones, Cllr. A. Milligan, Cllr. Mrs. L. Newland, and Cllr. Mrs. Ann Scott
Apologies for Absence: none
In attendance: Mr. B. Stubbings (clerk), Two members of the public.
Chair person: Cllr. R. Fisher took the Chair.
Declarations of Interest: None
043/16 Minutes of Last Meeting (April 2016):
The minutes were proposed to be accepted as a true record by Cllr. Mr G. Evans, the proposal was seconded by Cllr. Mrs. S. Fisher and agreed by all. The minutes were signed by the chairperson.
044/16. Matters Arising from previous Meeting:
Bench seat at Overton – Clerk advised that the bench seat had been installed and thanked Cllr. G. Evans and Cllr. G. Jones for their assistance in this.
Scurlage Green – It was noted that the flower beds would be extended and the installation of timber posts would be deferred pending completion of the flower beds.
Port Eynon Bramble Clearance – Clerk advised that he was still awaiting the contractor to submit his invoice.
Commemorative Coins – Cllr. S. Fisher reported that the commemorative coins had been distributed and had been very well received by the school and by the children.
045/16. Finance:
Clerk tabled an updated Cash Book status. He advised that there had been no income or expenditure in the past month. The bank balances were presently as follows:
Current Account £9,460
Savings Account £5,255
Knelston Burial Ground Account £675
The following funding commitments have been made and are carried forward:
Wooden bench seat (1 no) at Overton – £500
Scurlage Green Improvements – £2,000
Port Eynon village green improvements – £2,000.
046/16. Planning:
From Previous applications
2016/0514 Scurlage Farm – 4 new dwellings. Council noted that this was a revised application which superceded the previous. Council also noted that the changes were of a minimal nature, in that the width of the two ‘barn’ buildings was reduced and the windows had been limited to skylights; both in response to the proximity of the development to the neighbouring houses. It was noted that the application included a drainage report, however the report appeared to only substantiate the plan to dispose of surface water by soakaways and ground infiltration. Council noted that during most of the year the present usage of the site could not cope with such a drainage solution and that this was contributing to the flooding of Corner Cottage. The increase in built and paved area will most likely make the situation worse. Council noted that there had been no attempt to address the adequacy of the road junction of Berry Lane and Port Eynon Road.
2016/0524 Monksland Road Scurlage. Clerk advised that although this application had appeared on the weekly list of applications no papers had been received by the Council. He therefore could not advise on the details of the application. Cllr. R. Fisher advised that he understood that work was likely to commence within the next month. Access to the site would be via the lane adjacent to Ash Croft. He was of the opinion that problems still existed concerning drainage of the development which would rely on soakaways, even though rock existed within two metres of the surface. Also that inadequate parking was proposed.
New applications :
2015/1657 The Monksland Scurlage – Appeal for Permit for 64 units of Touring Caravans for three months. Council considered the grounds given for appeal and noted that they claims for a permit on the grounds of providing an overspill facility were not supported by local caravan site owners who had not experienced full occupancy in the past three years. Council also questioned the claims that the site would generate more than 20 full time jobs for the three months of operation, or that the continued viability of The Monksland was dependent on this application being granted. Clerk was directed to respond to the Appeal document accordingly.
2016/0471 Bank Farm, Castle Scurlage – Erection of marquee and permit for 125 units of camping both for 3 days of 10th to 12th June 2016 in conjunction with annual convention of West Wales Motor Cycle Club. Council noted that this event had been held for a number of years and had been well managed leading to no complaints or criticisms from local residents. It was agreed unanimously to reccommend approval.
2016/0680 Adjacent to Hawthorn Cottage, Scurlage. – Outline planning permission for a single dwelling house. Council noted that there had been a previous application for outline permission over ten years ago which had been granted but had since lapsed. After discussion it was agreed that a number of changes had occurred in the vicinity of this site since the previous application. In particular Council considered that the proposed access would result in conflict with the bus lay by and was not to be recommended given the volume and speed of traffic using the A4118 at this location. It was considered that access should be taken from Monksland Road, as was required of the adjoining development. Concern should also again be raised of the unsatisfactory state of mains drainage serving this area and of flooding of this area.
047/16 Highways & Footpaths.
Councillors noted that there was a void in the road surface between Moor Corner and the entrance to John Mumby’s field which required levelling. Clerk to action.
Also there was a large pothole in the vicinity of 18 and 20 Monksland Road. Clerk again to action.
Cllr. R. Fisher suggested that if and when the timber posts were installed at Scurlage green, consideration should be given to placing some at the junction of Monksland Road with Rhossilli Road to control vehicles turning into Monksland Road.
048/16 Correspondence:
Clerk provided a resume of correspondence received which had included:
- Letter from South Gower Sports Club questioning the action of the Community Council in issuing a notice to residents concerning the planning application for camping and in the wording of the Council’s letter of objection to City Planning Dept. It was agreed that Clerk should draft a response for consideration by Cllr’s.
- Series of e-mail communications from a resident concerning the election and co-option of Councillors. Clerk was requested to provide copies of the correspondence to Cllr’s.
049/16 Knelston Burial Ground. Nothing to report.
050/16 Village Halls –
Clerk advised that he was waiting for pegging of the boundary to be completed.
.
051/16 Communications – Cllr R Fisher had contacted Mr Tony Wright of AW Graphics and he was agreeable to proceed with the newsletter.
052/16 Any Other Business:
Cllr. L. Newland noted that the placing of advertising boards on the verge and pavement areas near the junction of Port Eynon Road and Rhossilli Road had again become a problem.
After discussion it was agreed to look again at the registration of Port Eynon Green as a village green.
From the public, enquiry was made as to the local council policy on affordable housing and the possibility of adopting a similar policy to that implemented by St. Ives Council in Cornwall to restrict the proliferation of holiday homes. Chair advised that this would need to be raised with Mr. Richard Lewis as City Councillor.
Date of Next Meeting: Monday 20th June 2016 at 7:30 pm in the Port Eynon Village Hall.
Meeting closed at 9:30 pm. Chairman
- J. Stubbings, (Clerk) R. Fisher